BMJ 2008;336:1070-1071 (10 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.39555.608252.AD
Practice
A Patient’s Journey
Obsessive compulsive disorder with associated hypochondriasis
Pamela Harrington, patient1
1 North Nesting, Armathwaite CA4 9PB pam.harrington@virgin.net
Pamela Harrington developed obsessive compulsive disorder with associated hypochondriasis 24 years ago. Eventually, a sympathetic and patient general practitioner enabled her to manage her condition
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I’ve seen it in their eyes. "Oh, God, not her again. I’ve got a waiting room full of patients and she’s back. I wonder what it is this time. I’ve told her a thousand times there’s nothing wrong with her. Why doesn’t she trust me? I’m the doctor. What does she know? Been looking stuff up on the internet again, I suppose."
If only he would look into my eyes. Why can’t he see that this fear is destroying me? Why does he make me feel like a naughty child in the headmaster’s study? Why can’t he see that I am an intelligent woman? Why doesn’t he want to help me? Why can’t he see that the real illness is in my mind?
I am a hypochondriac. I know I am a hypochondriac. Actually, no. I suffer from hypochondriasis. It sounds better. I also suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder. It
The fear of fear
So how did it all start?
What was happening to me?
A long wait
Kindness and patience
What has helped and what has not helped?
Has helped
Has not helped
A doctor’s perspective
Tools
Services
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